the saw buzzed as it drew closer to their leg. they could feel the table vibrating, sending shivers to their very core. it was closer still. their arms shook with the force of trying to pull away. they were too weak; or rather, their restraints were much too strong. with their teeth gritted and a sheen of sweat on their brow they tried not to scream. the saw buzzed against their leg and warm blood sprayed from the wound. now they did scream. they screamed as the blood didn't stop gushing and as the saw worked its way through their bone. they screamed still, when they stopped associating with reality. then, the saw stopped. the lights flicked on, and through the haze of pain and tears and fresh light they saw a man. how beautiful he was, a saviour to them. their body shook and the pain in their leg seared and they could not keep from crying, hacking up sobs that  tore at their lungs and shook their body. the man leaned closer to them and brushed their sweaty hair away from their face. he stared into their squinted eyes, holding their head still. what strength this man had. what weakness ariel had. he leaned closer still, seeming as if he was going to press a kiss to their dry, cracked lips. "You're safe now," his voice droned out, monotonous but still a calming blanket to the horror and pain of their situation. Then, the man did kiss them, chaste and dry, but still a kiss. who did this man think he was, the disgusting bastard. they attempted to bite at his lips as he pulled away but their body did not help them. he moved away from the table and began dressing their wounds. they screamed in pain as he ran his finger across the bloody edge, his lips dragging into a smirk. (continue)